Canada Denounces Religiously Motivated Attacks in Pakistan

“It is with sorrow that I have learned of the death of Hira, seven years old, Kainaat, eight months old, and their grandmother, Bushra Bibi, all Ahmadiyya Muslims, who fell victim to an attack by a local mob in the area of Kachi-Pump in Gujranwala, Pakistan. They and other members of the local Ahmadi community were attacked simply because of their Ahmadiyya Muslim faith.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased mourning this heart-breaking tragedy. This attack is all the more tragic in that it came at the close of the holy month of Ramadan as families were preparing to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr.

“This is only the latest event in a long series of violent, religiously motivated attacks against the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. It underscores the need to support Pakistani civil society in strengthening pluralism, human rights and the rule of law.

“Canada strongly denounces such violence, and we call for Pakistani authorities to ensure the personal safety of all Pakistani citizens, including Ahmadis, and to uphold the right of all religious communities to practice their faith in peace and security, free from violent attack.”